Burglar proof device for opening panel

ABSTRACT

The invention concerns a burglar-proof device designed to be fixed on one surface of a receiving wall located in or proximate to at least part of the periphery of an opening panel such as a door or a shutter, comprising an elongated tubular element ( 7, 25 ) having a support wall ( 8 ) urged to be supported on said receiving surface ( 5 ), at least a fixing member ( 12, 12   a ) passing through a passage provided in said support wall ( 8 ) of the elongated element and which is fixed on said opening panel ( 2 ), at least an elastic return member ( 15 ) arranged in said elongated element, and at least a movement sensor mounted in said elongated element and co-operating with said receiving wall, so that, when said elongated element is stressed to counter said elastic member and moves away from said receiving wall, said movement sensor is capable of delivering an electric signal.

[0001] The subject of the present invention is a device acting as atell-tale of an attempt to break into an opening panel, it beingpossible for such an opening panel to be a door to a building or to ahouse, installed on the outside or on the inside, a shutter with one ormore swing leaves, a door or lid to an item of furniture such as achest.

[0002] One of the ways commonly used for breaking into a building, ahouse or into premises in particular, or for forcing a chest consists inengaging a penetrating tool such as a crowbar or a cold chisel betweenthe door and its surround so as to reach the lock bolt of the lock orthe ratch or the hinges of the door.

[0003] Several solutions have already been proposed for detecting suchattempted break-ins.

[0004] In particular, international patent application WO-A-99/38134describes a burglar-proof device which comprises an elongate tubularelement which is fixed securely to the exterior face of the surround ofan opening panel and which, on the same side as the slot separating thesurround from the door, has a deformable wall which can act on anelectric displacement sensor.

[0005] Other known burglar-proof devices are designed to be installed inthe space between the opening panel and its surround. This is the casein particular of the burglar-proof device described in European patentapplication EP-A-0 208 876, which comprises two longitudinal fixed partsdistant from one another and the space between which is obstructed by alongitudinal blade which pivots against the action of a spring whenacted upon by a forcing tool.

[0006] The object of the present invention is to propose a burglar-proofdevice which is simpler and more effective than those currently known.

[0007] The burglar-proof device according to the invention can be fixedto a surface of a receiving wall situated in or in the vicinity of atleast part of the periphery of an opening panel such as a door or ashutter.

[0008] According to the invention, this device comprises an elongatetubular element having a bearing wall bearing against said receivingsurface, at least one fastening member which passes through a passageformed in said bearing wall of the elongate element and which isfastened to said receiving wall, at least one elastic return memberplaced in said elongate element and interposed between said fasteningmember and said bearing wall of this elongate element, and at least onedisplacement sensor installed in said elongate element and collaboratingwith said receiving wall, so that when said elongate element is urgedagainst the action of said elastic member and moves away from saidreceiving wall, said displacement sensor is able to deliver an electricsignal.

[0009] According to a preferred alternative form of the invention, saidelastic member comprises two opposed branches the central part of whichcooperates with said fastening member and the end parts of which bearagainst said bearing wall of the elongate element.

[0010] According to an alternative form of the invention, said fasteningmember comprises a spacer bearing against said receiving wall andcomprising wings for holding said elastic member and a central passagefor the passage of a fastening element such as a screw.

[0011] According to another alternative form of the invention, saidfastening member comprises a spacer bearing against said receiving walland having a central passage for the passage of a fastening element suchas a screw, said elastic member being sandwiched between this spacer andthe head of this fastening element.

[0012] According to the invention, said spacer may advantageouslycomprise an inclined ramp along which said elongate element can risewhen urged laterally.

[0013] According to a preferred alternative form of the invention, saidelongate element comprises a first section piece in the shape of a U,the base of which constitutes said bearing wall and a second sectionpiece in the shape of a U which envelopes and covers said first sectionpiece and which clips onto said first section piece.

[0014] According to an additional alternative form of the invention,said elongate element carries a plate designed to stretch forward fromthe actuating member of a means of locking the opening panel, this platehaving an opening for the passage of a key which can be introduced intothis actuating member.

[0015] According to an alternative form of the invention, a displacementsensor is inserted between said plate and the surface of the openingpanel.

[0016] According to the invention, said displacement sensor preferablyconsists of a switch.

[0017] According to the invention, the body of said switch may also besubjected to a spring acting toward said receiving wall.

[0018] According to the invention, the device is preferably installedagainst a surface of the door.

[0019] According to an alternative form of the invention, the devicecould be installed against a surface of the door surround.

[0020] The present invention will be better understood upon studyingsome opening-panel burglar-proof devices which are described by way ofnonlimiting examples and illustrated in the drawing in which:

[0021]FIG. 1 depicts an external view of a door in a closed position,equipped with a burglar-proof device;

[0022]FIG. 2 depicts a partial longitudinal section, along its mainaxis, of a first burglar-proof device according to the invention,showing an elastic fastening means;

[0023]FIG. 3 depicts a cross section, along its main axis, of theburglar-proof device of FIG. 2;

[0024]FIG. 4 depicts a cross section of another part of theburglar-proof device of FIG. 2, showing a displacement sensor;

[0025]FIG. 5 depicts a cross section along its main axis of analternative form of embodiment of the burglar-proof device of FIG. 4;

[0026]FIG. 6 depicts a cross section of an alternative form ofembodiment of the burglar-proof device of FIG. 2;

[0027] and FIG. 7 depicts a cross section of another part of theaforementioned burglar-proof device, associated with a lock.

[0028] Referring in particular to FIGS. 1 to 3, it is possible to seethat there has been depicted a surround 1 of a door 2 equipped with akey-operated lock 3, the surround 1 having a projecting part 4 againstwhich the exterior face 5 of the door 2 rests when brought to the closedposition.

[0029] In the immediate vicinity of the projecting part 4 of thesurround 1, the exterior face 5 of the door 2 is equipped with anelongate burglar-proof device 6 which extends around its periphery andadvantageously comprises two vertical parts which run along the uprightsof the surround 1 and one horizontal part which runs along the top crossmember of this surround.

[0030] The burglar-proof device 6 comprises a section piece 7 ofU-shaped cross section, the bottom 8 of which has two longitudinalregions 9 and 10 bearing against the exterior face 5 of the door 2 andwhich are separated by a longitudinal groove 7 a.

[0031] At various points along its length, the bottom 8 of the sectionpiece 7 has central through-passages 11, of square or rectangular shape.

[0032] Installed through each passage 11 is a fastening member whichcomprises a spacer 12.

[0033] In the example of FIGS. 2 and 3, the spacer 12 is, inlongitudinal section with respect to the section 7, U-shaped, with theends 13 and 14 of its branches bearing against the exterior face 5 ofthe door 2 and bent under the wall 8 of the section piece 7, in itslongitudinal groove 6 a.

[0034] Each spacer 12 passes through a passage 15 a in the central partof a leaf spring 15 which runs longitudinally with respect to thesection piece 7 and has two opposed longitudinal branches.

[0035] The spacer 12 has wings 16 and 17 which run past the central partof the leaf spring 15 and this spacer 12 is fixed to the door 2 by acentral screw 12 a the shank of which passes through the central part ofthe spacer 12 to screw into the door 2 and the head of which bearsagainst this central part.

[0036] The spring 15 is formed in such a way that the ends 18 and 19 ofits opposed branches bear against the interior face of the wall 8 of thesection piece 7 when its central part is bearing against the wings 16and 17 of the spacer 12, distant from the wall 8, so that the sectionpiece 7 is firmly, but with a preload, held against the exterior surface5 of the door 2.

[0037] Because of the bent-up ends 13 and 14 of the spacer 12 andbecause of its holding wings 16 and 17, each spacer 12 each spring 15can be pre-installed in the section piece 7.

[0038] As FIG. 4 shows, the section piece 7 bears internally, at variouspoints along its length and in its regions which are not covered by theleaf springs 15, displacement sensors consisting of electric switches 20the moving parts 21 of which pass through through-passages 22 formed inthe wall 8 of the section piece 7.

[0039] In the example depicted in FIG. 4, the switches 20 are borne byplates 23 which have studs engaged in orifices 24 formed in the flanksof the section piece 7.

[0040] Furthermore, the switches 20 are connected, by electric wiresrunning along the section piece 7, to an electronic alarm circuit, notdepicted.

[0041] The device 6 further comprises a longitudinal covering sectionpiece 25 of U-shaped cross section, which is force-fitted astride thesection piece 7 in such a way as to cover its external opening andcollaborate with its flanks to hold it in place.

[0042] By virtue of the arrangement which has just been described, if atool is engaged in the space between the projecting part 4 of thesurround 1 and the structure of the device 6, which structure is made upof the section pieces 7 and 25, or if a tool is engaged between the wall8 of the section piece 7 and the exterior face 5 of the door 2, or if anattempt is made to pull the covering section piece 25 off, the structuremade up of the section pieces 7 and 25 is acted upon and moves againstthe action of the leaf springs 15, moving away from the exterior face 5of the door 2.

[0043] When they have travelled beyond a certain distance determined bytheir position, at least one of the switches 20 changes state becauseits moving part 21 is actuated. A corresponding electric signal is thentransmitted to the electronic alarm circuit which processes it to, inparticular, set off a warning means such as a siren.

[0044] When the device 6 is no longer acted upon, and provided that ithas not been at least partially destroyed, it returns normally to itsstarting position.

[0045] In the alternative form depicted in FIG. 5, each switch 20 is nolonger fixed to the section piece 7 but is urged toward the exteriorsurface 5 of the door 2 by a spring 29 preloaded according to the springacting upon its moving part 21.

[0046] In the alternative form of embodiment depicted in FIG. 6, it canbe seen that the previous spacer 12 is replaced by a spacer 26consisting of a thick washer inserted between the central part of thespring 15, the stack consisting of the washer 26 and the central part ofthe spring 15 being fixed by a screw 27 which passes through them andwhich is screwed into the door 2.

[0047] In this alternative form, the washer 26 has an annular ramp 28against which the section piece 7 can slide when the latter is displacedparallel to the door 2.

[0048] This ramp 28 makes it easier for the elongate structure made upof the section pieces 7 and 26 to be moved away from the exterior face 5of the door 2 when this structure moves or is urged parallel to the door2.

[0049] Referring now to FIG. 7, it can be seen that the covering sectionpiece 25 bears a plate 30 which runs parallel to and some distance fromthe exterior face 5 of the door 2, past and some distance away from thecylinder of the lock 3 of this door, which cylinder is depictedschematically.

[0050] This plate 30 has a passage 31 in which there is installed arotating washer 32 which, eccentrically, bears an anti-drill washer 33equipped with an off-centered slot 34 for the passage of a key foroperating the cylinder of the lock 3. The plate 30 bears a finger 35which is engaged through the bottom of the section piece 25 and aholding screw 36 which passes through the wall 8 of the section piece 7is screwed axially into this finger 35, the head of this screw beingplaced in the longitudinal groove 7 a of the section piece 7.

[0051] Thus, if any attempt is made at reaching the lock 3 using aforcing tool, the plate 30 is made to move and this results in adisplacement of the structure made up of the section pieces 7 and 25thus, as described before, operating at least one of the switches 20.

[0052] Furthermore, a displacement sensor, consisting for example of anelectric switch 37, could be arranged between the surface 5 of the door2 and the rear face of the plate 30 so as to detect any moving-apartand/or moving-together of this plate and the door 2, a correspondingelectric signal also being transmitted to the aforementioned alarmcircuit by an electric wire, not depicted.

[0053] Of course, the number of points of elastic fastening and thenumber of displacement sensors installed along the displaceablestructure made up of the section pieces 7 and 25 will be tailored to thelength of these and to their ability not to twist when this structure isacted upon.

[0054] The present invention is not restricted to the examples describedhereinabove.

[0055] In particular, the burglar-proof device described could be fixedto the protruding part 20 of the surround 1 or into a groove formed inthe door or in the surround and could be constructed differently withoutdeparting from the scope of the attached claims.

1. A burglar-proof device which can be fixed to a surface of a receivingwall situated in or in the vicinity of at least part of the periphery ofan opening panel such as a door or a shutter, characterized in that itcomprises an elongate tubular element (7, 25) having a bearing wall (8)bearing against said receiving surface (5), at least one fasteningmember (12, 12 a) which passes through a passage formed in said bearingwall (8) of the elongate element and which is fastened to said receivingwall (2), at least one elastic return member (15) placed in saidelongate element and interposed between said fastening member and saidbearing wall of this elongate element, and at least one displacementsensor (20) installed in said elongate element and collaborating withsaid receiving wall, so that when said elongate element is urged againstthe action of said elastic member and moves away from said receivingwall, said displacement sensor is able to deliver an electric signal. 2.The device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that said elasticmember (15) comprises two opposed branches the central part of whichcooperates with said fastening member (12, 12 a) and the end parts (18,19) of which bear against said bearing wall (8) of the elongate element.3. The device as claimed in one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in thatsaid fastening member comprises a spacer (12) bearing against saidreceiving wall and comprising wings (16, 17) for holding said elasticmember (15) and a central passage for the passage of a fastening elementsuch as a screw (12 a).
 4. The device as claimed in any of the precedingclaims, characterized in that said fastening member comprises a spacer(26) bearing against said receiving wall and having a central passagefor the passage of a fastening element such as a screw (27), saidelastic member (15) being sandwiched between this spacer and the head ofthis fastening element.
 5. The device as claimed in one of claims 3 and4, characterized in that said spacer comprises an inclined ramp alongwhich said elongate element can rise when urged laterally.
 6. The deviceas claimed in any of the preceding claims, characterized in that saidelongate element comprises a first section piece (7) in the shape of aU, the base of which constitutes said bearing wall and a second sectionpiece (25) in the shape of a U which envelopes and covers said firstsection piece and which clips onto said first section piece.
 7. Thedevice as claimed in any of the preceding claims, characterized in thatsaid elongate element carries a plate (30) designed to stretch forwardfrom the actuating member of a means (3) of locking the opening panel,this plate being equipped with an anti-drill washer (34) having anopening for the passage of a key which can be introduced into saidactuating member.
 8. The device as claimed in claim 7, characterized inthat between said plate and the surface of the opening panel is inserteda displacement sensor that senses the displacement of one with respectto the other.
 9. The device as claimed in any of the preceding claims,characterized in that said displacement sensor consists of an electricswitch.
 10. The device as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that thebody of said switch is subjected to a spring (29) acting toward saidreceiving wall.
 11. The device as claimed in any of the precedingclaims, characterized in that it is installed against a surface (5) ofsaid opening panel (2).
 12. The device as claimed in any of thepreceding claims, characterized in that it is installed against asurface of the door surround.